The new all-of-the above: HECO looks to wind, solar and beyond for 100% renewables mandate

Hawaiian Electric Co.'s roadmap to a 100% renewables grid will rely on EVs and DERs alongside established central-station renewables.

By Robert Walton • April 20, 2017

Coming soon to a data center near you: Energy efficiency

Nearly a decade ago, the tech industry received an energy wake-up call. Today, data centers are doing more with less energy and a smaller carbon footprint.

By Mary Catherine O'Connor • April 20, 2017

Wal-Mart taps AMS to install 40 MWh of energy storage at California stores

Advanced Microgrid Solutions will put batteries at 27 of the retail giant's locations, helping reduce peak demand and providing grid services to Southern California Edison. 

By Peter Maloney • April 13, 2017

Is utility rate design the key to widespread electric vehicle adoption?

Electricity rate structure can make or break the business case for independent charging stations essential to spur EV uptake. 

By Robert Walton • April 12, 2017

'Enabler of the smart city': CPS Energy's CEO on democratizing distributed energy

Electric utilities have a central role to play in spreading the energy technologies that make smart cities possible, Paula Gold-Williams, CEO of San Antonio's municipal utility, told Utility Dive. 

By Gavin Bade • April 11, 2017

New gas build, coal retirements could make PJM next market with distressed power prices

A flood of new, efficient gas-fired plants is set to put downward pressure on PJM power prices, Moody's says, pushing more coal plants to the brink.

By Peter Maloney • April 7, 2017

Maryland Gov. Hogan allows efficiency expansion to go into effect

Maryland utilities will need to reduce electricity usage 2% annually by 2020, after Gov. Larry Hogan declined to veto a bill to expand energy efficiency goals.

By Robert Walton • April 7, 2017

Study: Demand response could offset 2 GW of summer peak demand growth in Michigan

A combination of demand management strategies save the state $10 billion over a decade by avoiding investment in new infrastructure, according to Advanced Energy Economy.

By Robert Walton • April 5, 2017

PacifiCorp long-term plan includes 3 GW of renewable energy

The six-state, $3.5 billion plan also predicts efficiency will offset 88% of forecasted demand growth over the next decade.

By Robert Walton • April 5, 2017

Report: Efficiency, demand response spending continues to rise, nears $9B

Spending on demand side management programs in the United States and Canada grew 1% in 2015, according to the Consortium for Energy Efficiency.

By Robert Walton • April 5, 2017

PNM taps Comverge to manage 60 MW smart thermostat demand response program

The agreement, which could begin next year, would target commercial and residential customers using both direct installations of smart thermostats and a bring-your-own-device approach. 

By Robert Walton • April 5, 2017

States, green groups threaten lawsuit if Trump doesn't finalize efficiency standards

A dozen state and city governments informed the White House they will file a lawsuit unless the Department of Energy moves to finalize efficiency regulations covering commercial and consumer products.

By Robert Walton • April 4, 2017

Failed bipartisan energy bill could get second life as Senate committee advances provisions

The U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee advanced 65 bills last week, many of which were a part of last year's energy package that stalled in conference committee. 

By Robert Walton • April 4, 2017

Primer: Technology, consumer sentiment push utilities to new business models

The move to a cleaner, more distributed energy system is pushing wholesale changes to how utilities make money and plan their power grids. 

By Robert Walton • April 3, 2017

The top 5 states for utility grid modernization and business model reform

From expansive sector redesigns to step-by-step DER dockets, states across the nation are rethinking the grid and how utilities make money off it. 

By Krysti Shallenberger • April 3, 2017

Pushed by REV, ConEd tests new utility business models in New York

The nation's largest city is the proving ground for a slate of REV pilot projects aimed at modernizing operations and diversifying revenue.

By Robert Walton • April 3, 2017

PJM: Gas plant buildout, coal retirements don't threaten reliability

A new report from the grid operator noted that more reliance on any single generation resource introduces resilience risks not accounted for under traditional reliability standards.

By Peter Maloney • March 31, 2017

How California lawmakers plan to align renewable generation with power demand

Two new bills present distinct approaches to align wind and solar output with the state's electricity load.  

By Herman K. Trabish • March 30, 2017

Businesses, energy industry pressure Maryland governor to sign efficiency bill

Lawmakers in both legislative chambers already approved a measure to extend the state's energy efficiency goals, directing utilities to reduce electricity usage 2% annually by 2020.

By Robert Walton • March 30, 2017

Study: Efficiency programs return results — but not in all buildings

A study published in Nature finds energy savings as high as 30% for some efficiency programs in large buildings, but middle-sized and smaller C&I buildings are being left in the dust, researchers say. 

By Robert Walton • March 29, 2017

Why utilities don't think Trump will stop the clean energy transition

The next generation utility business model will rely on a cleaner, more distributed energy system regardless of what happens in Washington, according to our new 2017 State of the Electric Utility Survey.

By Gavin Bade • March 28, 2017

In search of a quorum: 3 potential FERC nominees bring deep business and energy backgrounds

The potential candidates for three open spots at FERC would restore a quorum and possibly align the agency more closely with big business interests. 

By Peter Maloney • March 27, 2017

'Million rate bases': TFC makes the case for a new IOU business model in Hawaii

A fledgling holding company wants utilities to connect their customers with distributed resources — and earn a rate of return for doing so.

By Gavin Bade • March 24, 2017

11 New York microgrid projects snap up $11M in state funds

Eleven projects advanced to the second stage of New York's microgrid competition to conduct more detailed engineering and business analysis. 

By Peter Maloney • March 24, 2017

Hawaii PUC chair lifts lid on NextEra rejection, ongoing DER dockets

Chairman Randy Iwase says he has "no regrets" over his decision to reject NextEra's proposed merger with Hawaiian Electric Co. 

By Gavin Bade • March 23, 2017